JACKSON, Ky. – Due to a culvert collapse caused by recent flooding, KY 3237 (Canoe Road) in BreathittCounty has been closed at mile marker 1.8. Barricades have been put in place to prevent motorists from driving across the affected area.

“This damaged section of highway is unsafe for vehicular travel,” said Mark Westfall, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways District 10, which includes BreathittCounty. “The temporary barricades that were put in place were being moved or ignored by drivers. Our engineers decided it was in the best interests of the traveling public to block the road with a barricade that can’t be moved or driven around to protect drivers from the damaged section of roadway.”

“Our primary interest is ensuring the safety of drivers in BreathittCounty and across our district,” Westfall continued. “Repair of this route is one of our top priorities as we work with federal and state emergency management officials to assess damage and secure funding for these repair projects. Many roads were damaged all across our area by last week’s floods and we are working as fast as we can to determine what repairs are necessary.”

“We know this road closure is an inconvenience for residents of the area, but their safety is our utmost concern,” Westfall added. “Barricading and closing a road is not a decision taken lightly, but it is one done in the best interests of the community.”

Drivers affected by the KY 3237 closure have two alternate routes that can be used to detour the closure point. They can use KY 1110, KY 397 and KY 30 through Curt, or KY 1110 and KY 15 through Haddix, to get to the county seat of Jackson.